(Northern Sea Oats)

Northern sea oats is an upright growing ornamental grass native to the eastern United States and northern Mexico. Its gracefully, arching stems bear spikes in the late summer to early autumn that resemble flattened oat seedheads. The bamboo-like leaves turn a golden-tan in the winter and the seedheads remain on throughout most of the winter adding to the garden interest.

Plant northern sea oats in full sun in any fertile soil that is well-drained. It performs better with moist soil, but can...

(Lace Lipfern, Lipfern)

During a wilderness hike west of the Continental Divide in the American Pacific Northwest, you'll encounter a frilly, lacy-foliage fern growing on and among igneous rocks on slopes. The lace lipfern's narrow, upright fronds grow from a short, clumping rhizome. The native range extends from central California and Nevada northward to the border with British Columbia, Canada. High elevations protect this fern from excessive summertime heat and drought stresses.

The lace lipfern produces upright,...

(Hairy Lipfern)

Fine hairs cover the light green fronds of the hairy lipfern, delicate-looking deciduous, clumping fern. It is native to granite rocky slopes and ledges from the Catskill Mountains to central Missouri and southward to the Florida panhandle. It grows at higher inland elevations, protected from intense summertime sunlight from nearby trees, shrubs or sheltering rocks. It develops a short, slow-growing rhizome to form an attractive leafy clump.

Hairy lipfern produces upright, long, triangular-shaped...

(Beaded Lipfern, Lipfern)

Few people would think ferns grow in arid climates, but the beaded lipfern is a notable and beautiful exception. This dense, spreading fern -- via elongating rhizomes -- naturally inhabits rocky slopes and ledges across the American Southwest and into northwestern Mexico. The habitat is at higher elevations, and this species tends to proliferate on east-facing slopes nestled at the base of boulders or shrubs that cast protective shade.

Beaded lipfern produces upright, triangular-shaped fronds...

(Lyon's Turtlehead, Pink Turtlehead)

Native to regions along the Appalachian Mountains, which extend from the southeastern to northeastern United States, Lyon’s turtlehead is an upright perennial grown for its stems topped with clusters of two-lipped, tubular, rose or purple-pink flowers. Wild populations can be found growing in rich, moist soils in open forests and along stream banks.

Deep green, opposite, lance-shaped leaves line the tall stems of this pleasing woodland native. In late summer and autumn the turtle head-like...

(Lyon's Turtlehead, Pink Turtlehead)

This vigorous cultivar of Lyon's turtlehead has particularly vibrant rose-pink flowers and attractive dark green leaves. Originating from regions along the Appalachian Mountains, which extend from the southeastern to northeastern United States, Lyon’s turtlehead is an upright perennial grown for its stems topped with clusters of two-lipped, tubular, rose-pink flowers. Wild populations can be found growing in rich, moist soils in open forests and along stream banks.

Deep green, opposite, lance-shaped...

(Turtlehead)

The rose-flowered turtlehead is an attractive hardy perennial that's native to the central and eastern United States. It is adapted to moist woodlands and forest edges.

Turtlehead forms vigorous clumps that spread slowly over time. Its upright stems are lined with deep green leaves with coarsely serrated edges. In mid to late summer they become topped with dense short spikes of rosy two-lipped tubular flowers that look like turtle's heads. These are attractive to hummingbirds and make sweet...

(Mexican Tea)

Long prized in Mexico as an herb and medicinal plant, this weedy annual or short-lived perennial from tropical America is naturalized worldwide from the tropics to the temperate zones. Plants form clumps of erect, waist-high stems with alternate, oval, toothed leaves. Bruised leaves emit a pungent, disagreeable odor. In summer, long spikes of small greenish flowers appear at the stem tips and leaf axils. Tiny greenish single-seeded fruits follow the flowers. Plants readily self-sow.

Mexican...

(Common Fringetree, Granddaddy Graybeard)

The wispy white flower clusters of common fringetree add a delightful haze to the spring garden. This native to the southeastern United States is a hardy deciduous large shrub or small tree that naturally inhabits moist woodlands. It covers a broad range of distribution, from New York State to Texas, so it is best to plant from regional stock.

When mature, the common fringetree develops an irregular, spreading crown. Its leaves are oblong and medium green with varying degrees of glossiness....

(Chionodoxa, Glory-of-the-Snow)

Carpeting the garden with starry flowers very early in the year, these little bulbs from the eastern Mediterranean are wonderful for massing in borders and lawns. Hardy and self-reliant, they produce clusters of blue, violet, pink, or white blooms atop short leafless stems in late winter and early spring. Two short grass-like leaves emerge with the flowers, going dormant within a few weeks. The flowers and leaves grow from small rounded bulbs covered with brown tunics. Plants often self-seed to form...